Figuring out what can and cannot go in the dishwasher can sometimes throw a wrench in your kitchen cleanup. It’s always tempting to simply toss everything in the dishwasher and run it, but you’ll get better results and help prolong the life of your kitchenware by learning which materials won’t fare well in the dishwasher’s heat and humidity.
Stainless steel pots and pans are among the most popular kitchen cookware thanks to their versatility and durability. But how do you clean them to make sure they last? Of course you want to take care of them, but when you’re busy, sometimes you just want the easiest solution. Tossing them in the dishwasher is certainly the most convenient after-dinner cleanup routine, but is it safe for stainless steel pots and pans? Here’s what you need to know.
What is Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is an alloy metal, made by combining chromium and nickel. Unlike regular steel which is highly susceptible to rusting, stainless steel is a lot tougher thanks to the protective chromium oxide layer on the surface of the metal. It’s important to understand what kinds of stainless steel you have in your kitchen, as this can make it easier to prevent your cookware from becoming damaged over time.
High quality stainless steel cookware typically comes in one of two grades- 18/8 or 18/10. These numbers refer to the amounts of different metals combined in the steel alloy- the first number refers to the amount of chromium as a percentage, while the second number refers to the amount of nickel. Of all the varieties of stainless steel, high quality 18/10 and 18/8 items are often the easiest to damage. While they can normally be washed in the dishwasher with no issues, you’ll need to be careful not to cause any damage to the rust-resistant surface.
18/0 is another grade of stainless steel, and is usually used for items that aren’t heated. 18/0 products contain no nickel, making them completely dishwasher safe.
Is Stainless Steel Dishwasher Safe?
The short answer: Yes, most stainless steel items are dishwasher safe, but there are caveats. High-quality stainless steel, like 18/8 or 18/10 (indicating 18% chromium and 8% or 10% nickel), is generally robust enough to withstand dishwasher cycles without rusting or corroding. These grades are common in cookware, cutlery, and water bottles, and their corrosion-resistant properties make them a safe bet for the dishwasher in most cases.
However, not all stainless steel is created equal, and not all items made from it are dishwasher-friendly. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Cookware: Pots and Pans
Stainless steel pots and pans are often labeled as dishwasher safe, and in many cases, they can handle it. For example, brands like All-Clad and Cuisinart often confirm their stainless steel cookware is fine for the dishwasher. But there are risks to consider:
- Clad Construction: Many high-end stainless steel pans are “clad,” meaning they have a core of aluminum or copper sandwiched between stainless steel layers. While the stainless steel exterior is dishwasher safe, exposed aluminum edges (like on the rim) can degrade when exposed to harsh detergents, leading to corrosion or loss of induction compatibility.
- Low-Quality Stainless Steel: Cheaper pans, often thinner and sometimes magnetic (a sign of lower nickel content, like 18/0 stainless steel), may pit, discolor, or lose their shine over time in the dishwasher. You can test quality by checking if a magnet sticks to the pan—higher-quality stainless steel (18/8 or 18/10) is typically non-magnetic.
- Aesthetic Damage: Even high-quality pans can develop water spots, dullness, or discoloration from repeated dishwasher use, especially if you use abrasive detergents or live in an area with hard water.
Pro Tip: If you want your stainless steel cookware to stay gleaming, hand washing is often the better choice. It’s gentler and lets you target stubborn spots without risking the pan’s finish.
2. Cutlery: Forks, Spoons, and Knives
Stainless steel cutlery is generally safe for the dishwasher, especially 18/10 or 18/8 varieties. Place them in the cutlery basket to prevent them from knocking against other items, which can cause scratches or corrosion if different metals touch. However, avoid dishwashing stainless steel knives with sharp blades, as the agitation and detergents can dull them over time.
Tip: Space out cutlery in the basket to avoid “nesting,” where items stick together and block water from cleaning thoroughly.
3. Water Bottles and Tumblers
Stainless steel water bottles, like those from Hydro Flask or Yeti, are often dishwasher safe, but always check the manufacturer’s label. Uninsulated, unpainted bottles are typically fine, but insulated or painted ones may have seals or coatings that can degrade in the dishwasher’s heat. Remove lids, straws, or other detachable parts and place them separately in the top rack for best results.
Caution: Older insulated bottles or those not explicitly labeled as dishwasher safe may lose their vacuum seal or insulation properties if dishwashed.
4. Bakeware and Utensils
Stainless steel baking sheets, measuring cups, and utensils like spatulas or tongs are usually dishwasher safe, provided they’re 100% stainless steel with no plastic or wooden components. Hollow-handled utensils, however, can trap water inside during a dishwasher cycle, which may lead to damage or even dangerous pressure buildup if heated later on a stove.
When Should You Avoid the Dishwasher?
There are specific scenarios where you should skip the dishwasher to protect your stainless steel:
- Non-Dishwasher-Safe Items: Always check for a “dishwasher safe” label. If it’s absent or unclear, hand washing is safer.
- Low-Quality or Thin Stainless Steel: Budget cookware may not hold up to the dishwasher’s harsh environment, risking warping or discoloration.
- Clad Cookware with Exposed Aluminum or Copper: These can corrode or lose functionality, like induction compatibility, if dishwashed repeatedly.
- Non-Stainless Components: Items with wooden, plastic, or nonstick coatings (e.g., some stainless steel pans with nonstick finishes) can warp, crack, or degrade in the dishwasher.
- Acidic Food Residue: If your cookware has been used for acidic foods like tomatoes or citrus, rinse thoroughly before dishwashing to prevent surface corrosion.
- Mixed Metals: Avoid washing stainless steel alongside other metals like silver or aluminum, as direct contact can cause galvanic corrosion, leading to pitting or discoloration.
How to Safely Dishwash Stainless Steel
If you decide to use the dishwasher, follow these steps to minimize risks:
- Pre-Rinse: Scrape off food debris to prevent it from clogging the dishwasher or baking onto the surface.
- Load Properly: Place pots and pans on the bottom rack, dirty side down, and avoid overcrowding to ensure water and detergent reach all surfaces. Put cutlery in the basket and smaller items on the top rack.
- Use the Right Detergent: Choose a mild, stainless steel-friendly detergent, like Finish® Quantum® or Cascade ActionPacs™, and avoid those with bleach or citric acid, which can harm stainless steel over time.
- Select an Appropriate Cycle: Use a normal or pots-and-pans cycle rather than a high-heat or sanitizing cycle to reduce stress on the material.
- Dry Thoroughly: Remove items promptly after the cycle and dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spots. If your dishwasher has a heated dry setting, consider turning it off for stainless steel items.
- Tips for making stainless steel last
No matter how you decide to clean your stainless steel cookware, there are a few tips you can utilize to keep it in the best condition possible. Always dry it right away, whether you’re hand-washing or using the dishwasher. This helps prevent water spots.
- Regularly polish with olive oil and a microfiber cloth to prevent tarnishing.
- Use a paste of baking soda and water for tough stains.
- Boil water in the pot or pan, or pour hot water into it and let it sit in order to soak and soften tough, cooked-on food stains or debris. This makes it much easier to gently wipe them away.
- Never use harsh substances like bleach or steel wool on stainless steel cookware.
The Case for Hand Washing
Even though stainless steel is dishwasher safe, hand washing often delivers better results, especially for cookware you want to keep in top shape. Here’s how to do it right:
- Cool Down First: Let hot pans cool to avoid warping from sudden temperature changes.
- Soak for Tough Stains: For stuck-on food, soak the item in warm, soapy water for 15–20 minutes. For extra stubborn spots, boil water in the pan or add a paste of baking soda and water, then scrub gently.
- Use Gentle Tools: Clean with a soft sponge or cloth to avoid scratching. Avoid steel wool or abrasive scrubbers, which can damage the chromium oxide layer.
- Dry Immediately: Use a microfiber cloth to dry and prevent water spots. For extra shine, polish with a dab of olive oil or food-grade mineral oil.
- Tackle Discoloration: Use Bar Keepers Friend or a vinegar-water solution (1:1 ratio) to restore shine and remove stains.
Real-World Experiences
I’ve seen both sides of this debate in my own kitchen. My trusty 18/10 stainless steel skillet has gone through countless dishwasher cycles over the years and still looks great, though I’ve noticed faint water spots when I forget to dry it right away. On the other hand, a cheap stainless steel saucepan I bought on a budget started showing dullness after just a few dishwasher runs. The difference? Quality and care. High-end cookware from brands like Made In or All-Clad tends to hold up better, but even then, hand washing keeps them looking brand new.
Online, home cooks on platforms like Reddit share similar stories. One user mentioned running their Cuisinart tri-clad pans through the dishwasher for 15 years with no issues, while another noted their low-quality Walmart pans developed stains after a few cycles. The consensus? Stainless steel can handle the dishwasher, but hand washing is the gold standard for longevity and shine.
Final Verdict: Dishwasher or Sink?
Stainless steel can generally go in the dishwasher, but whether it should depends on your priorities. If convenience is key and your cookware is high-quality and labeled dishwasher safe, go for it—just follow the tips above to minimize risks. But if you’re invested in keeping your pots, pans, or cutlery looking pristine, hand washing is worth the extra effort. It’s gentler, gives you more control, and helps preserve that mirror-like finish you fell in love with.
Next time you’re tempted to toss everything in the dishwasher, check the manufacturer’s instructions, consider the item’s quality and construction, and weigh the trade-offs. Your stainless steel will thank you—whether it’s sparkling from a hand wash or fresh from a dishwasher cycle.
FAQ
Will dishwasher damage stainless steel?
Stainless steel itself is fine in the dishwasher. Your better dishwashers are lined with stainless. The only issue is cladded cookware with exposed aluminum rims as aluminum can degrade. It won’t warp the pan though.
Can you put a stainless steel jug in the dishwasher?
Stainless steel is usually fine to go in the dishwasher on the top rack (where it’s coolest) but we recommend not putting coloured bottles in the dishwasher as they may lose their lustre.
Why Shouldn’t You Put Stainless Steel In The Dishwasher?
You only need to avoid putting stainless steel in the dishwasher if the specific item is not dishwasher safe. Common stainless steel products like cutlery are totally safe to be placed in a dishwasher. However, coated stainless steel products, such as pots and pans are better off being hand washed!
Why Shouldn’t You Put Pots And Pans In The Dishwasher?
Many pots and pans are made from metals like cast iron and steel. Unfortunately, these metals are highly susceptible to rusting, which makes them totally unsuitable for dishwashers. As well as this, there’s also the fact that pots and pans are simply too large for the dishwasher. A large pot or pan could easily prevent water from effectively cycling around the tub, resulting in an unsatisfying and incomplete clean.
Is it OK to put metal in the dishwasher?
This is a lot of stuff, so the easier way to think of it is this way: The only metal you should ever consider putting in your dishwasher is fully stainless-steel stuff that won’t easily be damaged or rust (even then, rust is still possible).
